Canon PowerShot A3300 IS Digital Camera

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There's a reason Canon is known for putting out high-quality cameras. The excellent PowerShot A3300 is a great performer, and our top recommendation for a point-and-shoot digital camera. The photos it took looked fantastic, particularly compared to other compact cameras, and the unit boasts image stabilization (the IS in the name) to substantially reduced blur. Just don't expect any miracles in low-light situations; this is still an entry-level camera after all. We didn't love how the previews of images looked on the LCD viewing screen. Luckily, photos often came out better than we anticipated.

If you have a flair for the artistic, you'll appreciate this device's ability to shoot great close-ups in macro mode, which was unmatched by any other camera in our test. It also quickly refocuses during video recording and repeat photographs making this camera more adaptable and easier for all to use. Consumer testers rated the Canon highly, too; they especially raved about its simple ergonomic controls with one-touch access to commonly used features, like timed shooting and flash settings. Its also easy to change modes via a dial next to the shutter button, which cycles between video, auto, fisheye, and other settings. All told, the A3300 is a solid choice in the $150 range, and one that's markedly improved from slightly cheaper versions that lack image stabilization.